Surface marking machine



Sept. 4, 1951 R, YE 2,566,624

SURFACE MARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 III/(1 182 622,222

m9 Fig I2.

Fig.

E 0!! R. Myers E INVENTOR.

eP 1951 E. R. MYERS SURFACE MARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Earl R. Myers INVENTOR.

Sept. 4, 1951 Filed Aug. 11, 1948 E. R. MYERS SURFACE MARKING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Earl R. Myers INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a surface marking or patterning device and has for its primary object to provide a novel and improved portable marking machine.

Conventional portable surface striping and marking machines have been widely employed to form safety zones, pedestrian walkways and yehicular travel lanes. However, certain defects in the structure and operation of the machines has resulted in the formation of faulty pattern lines and strips due mainly to a clogging of the ma chine and overflowing of the marking liquid causing irregular lines, and an inconvenient control system for the dispensing of the liquid and the placement of the tufts of bristles.

To obviate the above defects is the primary aim and purpose of this invention and, correspondingly, this invention has for an important object to provide a portable marking device that can be easily propelled by an operator and the operation of the device can be controlled by the operator with ease and. convenience, while moving the device.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a portable marking device in which the liquid marking substance is dispensed directly from a tank onto th brush head, the dispensing being controlled by the operator and means being provided for avoiding an overflow of the liquid through and onto the brush head.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide a marking device with means for guiding the device in the desired pattern and for guiding and positioning the brush in conformity with the contour of the surface.

A meritorious feature of this invention resides in the provision of a wheeled frame having a paint and solvent tank mounted thereon in a detachable manner and having a handle structure extending upwardly from the frame with means carried by the handle structure for manual operation to control the discharge of the paint from a funnel laterally extending from the paint tank and overlying a brush unit, which is adjustable and which is provided with automatic means for controlling the movements of the brush unit in conformity with the contour of the surface.

These and ancillary objects and other meritorious features to become more fully apparent as the following description proceeds are attained by this invention, a preferred embodiment of which is set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a marking machine, constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational View of this invention, illustrating the manually operated remote control means for the dispensing operation and for raising and lowering the brush unit;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan View of this invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line d@ of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a, fragmentary sectional view of the means provided for securing a marking device in adjustable position on the device;

Figure 6 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the operating structure for raising and lowering the brush unit;

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 1-7 of Figural);

Figure 8 is an enlarged top plan view brush unit;

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 99 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken through the brush unit and illustrating the means provided for attaching the brush unit to the op erating linkage in a, freely mounted manner;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the operating of the linkage for controlling the valve, which is disposed in the dispensing unit; 6

Figure 12 is a view in perspective of the guide means provided; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 13-43 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

In carrying out this invention, there is provided a wheeled frame, generally indicated by the reference numeral H), which comprises a pair of longitudinally extending opposed side walls l2, joined at their opposite ends by transversely extending end bars M. A pair of longitudinally extending angle irons It are secured in a conventional manner to the inside surface of the opposing side walls i2 and serve as retaining brackets. A pair of elongated tubular members i8 are seated upon the laterally extending portion of the angle irons, as seen in Figure 4. A tank 29 is mounted on the opposing tubes is at the rear portion of the frame and a smaller tank 22 is mounted in a similar fashion at the forward end. Both of the tanks are formed with open tops which are detachably closed' by lids 24 and 1'26, having handles 28. The tank 25 is adapted to retain a supply of paint, while the tank 22 will re tain the needed or desired amount of paint sol- 3 vent. Of course, means is provided for securely locking the tanks in their seated placement in the frame and comprises a plurality of conven* tional fasteners or clasps 3i).

A pair of inwardly curved bars or rod-like member 32 and 34 are secured to the rear portion of the frame and extend vertically therefrom to converge at 3B. The rods 32 and 34 are slanted outwardly from the connecting point 35 and are bent spas themsel iesfadilicent their.

upper ends, defining downwardly extending handle bars 38 and 4U. 32 and M are provided at the end portion of the frame with a similar caster 46 provided at the front medially of the rear casters and 4t, whereby portability is imparted to the frame."

Of course, the actual specification of the frame and appurtenant details can be varied in actual construction to accommodate the same for use i i s, ratiens 2 2 a arg or a l paint or solventta'nk wou fbenee'ded and where the dimensions of the frame wouldbe important in carryingbutaf 'ar' marking operaixi' r 1 ,5,

Means is provided for dispensing or discharging the "paint" oi. "similar "liquid marking substance fromthetankm "which i formed with an inner slanting bottom wall 48. The means preferred com'pris'esfan' twardly extending funnel Ellwhich projects; outwardly from" one side of the'tank 20' and is"i'-or medwith"a bottom opening adjacentit's e ending end. A nozzle 52 or 'discharg't'ubi ing and depends frolfnlt unnelajs' e i Fi ure 2; A conventional alvefisfhous'edwithin the nozzle end se-"or the"tiibe52' and'c'ontrols the flow of the liquid fromthe tank, the 'valve being actuated byfmanually o'per'ate'd 'control'means 54. The operating jorfactuating'mejans for the valve,'as eeriihFi'gures'zand 11, comprises an arm 56 whichis secured at one end tothe laterally'extending st of thejvalve, the valve being transversely disfpo'sedfin the nozzle end 53. The arm56 "is. for with 'an offset' section 51 terminating infan apertured end' flange 58. A bar "60 islfiiifoteii'as atfiif'tofthe'end M of the frame 'anwhasga "coaxially reduced end extension or tongue '69. j'ourn'a'ledinfthe a'pertured ear or"flai1ge scion the ai men ith suitable securing meansf'be'i'n'g"providedfior maintaining the hd"'b 4""therein; "Theoppo'site end of the bar fiflis formedwith areduc'd opening 66 within whichjo'nefend"'offa spring 68 is anchored, the opposite endfoflthelspring being secured to the yokej'forfthe; c'ajslterl'ftgi An actuating rod 'HJisf secured at"itsijlowerf end to the medial portion of been Blland' has its upper end secured't'o one end: of a crank like bar 72, which i pivotedas'jatf M 'tb an extending bearing surface'orear 16; The bearingsurface l6 depends from {the underfsurface of the handle bar 38 and 'the opposite' end I8of the bar 12 is formed in achannel like manner so as to engage against thefhaifidlefbar. Thus,'it can be seen that the operatingrodlfl can be controlled by an operator withoutithe need of removing his hands from the handle" bars '38 and '40, thereby insuring a more convenient-g speedier ancl'more dependable actuation of the valve.

A brush unit 80 isadjustablydi'sposed in vertical alignment below the discharge nozzle 53 to receive the liquid'substance emitted therefrom and to thereby conveyj theliquid substance to the surface infapatterned'manner. Th brush unit '80 comprises a""substantially U 'shaped reda'roiind the open A pair of opposed casters 4 brush head or holder 82, shown in Figure 8, which is preferably cast from aluminum or the like material. A pair of longitudinally extending opposed side members 84 and 86 joined adjacent one end by a transverse back section 88 make up the holder. The under surface or bottom surface of the side of the holder are formed with centrally disposed, longitudinally extending U-shaped openings, or recesses 99 and 92, Within whichfaref frictional l y held the tufts of the bristles 94 and S6. The openings 90 and 52 as seen in Figure 10 of the drawings, are provided with depending opposed side walls 98 and 100 which are preferably straight and extend downwardly in parallel fashion to maintaifthe side bristles in rigid depending formation. A U-shaped longitudinally extending recessor channel IE2 is centrally formed in a transverse portion 88 of the holder. To accommodate the ends of the transverse brush I08 frictionally helddnthe, channel Hi2, there is provided a V-shap'ed notch: liliinth e inner side? Walls H16 of the openings 90 and 82. Thus the: transverse or backbrush Hi8 can move forwardly and rearwardly; bending easily in either direction with its opposed ends inserted in the V- shaped notches and in brushing contact with the depending bristles of the opposed ide brushes. The V-=shaped notches in the opposing side walls enable the back'brush'to retainthe paint or liq uid in the U-shaped opening defined by the opposing sides and the forward portion of the back or transverse section.

The brush holder isadjustably asspciated with the side of theframe'iri vertical alignment with the dischargenozzlei l so that the liquid selectively discharged from the ta'nk through the nozzle is directed intoand through the U-shaped opening defined by the sides and'forwardportion of thetransv'erse section." Inthis respect, a bracket or retaining'bar lie is secured as at H2" to the side of the frame and extends laterally in a horizontal position outwardly there from, as seen in Figure 3. 'lheibrack et arm provided with a pair of hanging armsor depending bearing surface I is and I it which are suit-= ably provided with small openings adjacent their terminating portions. A pair of idler or sta bilizing links H8 and I23 are'pivot'ally associated with the hanging, bracket HE and H t through their clevis ends l22 'and |24 which are pivoted to the terminating; portions of the' hanging'bracket arms through the medium' of a conventional bolt assembly, having wing nuts 126 as tightening agents. The opposite ends of the idler or stabilizing links H5, and [20 are clevised and are pivotally associated with a pair of operating arms or links 128 and- I30. The operating links I28; and [38 are provided-with medial offset portion 132, the samebeing suit ably aperturedfo'r receivinga.transversely in: serted pivot pin, "secured therein by a wing nut I34. Theoperating link Si, aslsee'n in Figure 10 of the'drawin'gs, are,fo rmed, adjacent their depending ends, with b earing recesses I36 and I38 Within which are received the extending ends of a pair of journaling pins MG and. H32 which integrally extend outwardly from the op:

. posing sides of the brush holder, as seenin Fig adjacent to the ends of the retaining bar IIO'in longitudinal alignment with the bearing or hanging bracket II4. An actuating link or arm I48, having a clevis end I50, is associated with the extending end of the rod I44 by a bearing collar I52 carried by its opposite end. The bearing collar I52 is j-ournaled on the end of the rod in a secured fashion, while the clevis end I50 of the arm is received around the upper end of the link I28 and secured thereon by a bolt and wing nut I5I, as seen in Figure 6.

..An elongated hollow shaft or sleeve I54 is concentrically disposed on the rod I44, and integrally associated therewith is an operating link I58, which terminates in an integral bearing collar I58 secured to the sleeve I54 and rotatably received on the rod I44, certain fittings I60 being provided. The opposite end of the operating link I56 terminates in a clevis I62 which is secured to the upper end of the operating link I30 by a conventional bolt assembly, having a Wing nut fastener I64.

A direct brush actuating mechanism is provided to raise and lower the brush holder, in association with the rod or shaft I44 and comprises a bracket I66, having a laterally extending head portion I68 secured to the bottom I10 of the frame. A yoke or clevis portion I1I depends medially from the retaining head I68 and a bellcrank I12 is secured by a pivot pin I14 there in. The bellcrank I12 is formed in one section with an aperture I16 within which a tie rod or operating rod I18 is secured by a hook at I80, as seen in Figure 2. The operating rod I18 extends upwardly and is secured to a hand lever I80, the hand lever being pivoted, as at I82, to an outstanding apertured ear or bearing surface I84 projected forwardly from the connected portion 36 of the rods 32 and 34.

'The opposite section of the bellcrank I12 is secured by a transverse pin I08 through an elongated rod I90. The rod I90 terminates in an enlarged portion I92 having a centrally disposed, longitudinally extending guide slot I94 therein, as seen in Figure 7. The rod I90 is associated with the rod I44 and sleeve I54 through the elongated slot I94. In this respect, a pair of bearing brackets I98 and 200 are provided with collars, 202 and 204, the latter being integrally associated with the end of the sleeve I54, as

seen in Figure 6. The bracket arms I98 and 209 retain a transversely disposed rod-like member 206, the same being transversely disposed through and in the slot I64 in the rod I90, as seen in Figures '1 and 3. Resilient means 208 isprovided and preferably comprises a compression spring having one end anchored, as at 2 I0, to the bottom surface of the bottom I10 of the frame and having its opposite end secured on a triangular rod 2 I2 which is secured to the rod 206.

The operation of the device thus far is believed to be extremely simple and advantageous. After the tanks have been filled withthe desired marking substance, a line is made out on the surface to be marked by any suitable means. The device is then wheeled in alignment with the line so as to mark the same. In this respect, a guide is provided in association with the brush to enable an operator to maintain the brush the desired travelling position. The guide, as seen in' Figure 12, comprises an elongated rod 2I4 which terminates in a faired point 2I6. The opposite end of the rod is laterallyoffset, as at 2I8, whereby the same may be easily and conveniently attached to the frame in adjusted position. In

this respect, attention is directed to Figures 1- tion. Thus, the guide rod may be adjusted laterally of the frame to be moved in relative position with respect to the frame and also the end 2I6 of the rod may be disposed in a lowered or raised position.

After the line has been marked oif on the surface, the guide rod end 2I6 is disposed on the line so as to enable the device to be moved in the proper and accurate position. The brush unit 88. is then lowered in ground engagement. In this respect, the hand lever I68 is moved forwardly on its pivot point I82, causing the tie rod or operating rod I66 to be moved downwardly. Downward movement of the rod I18 moves the bellcrank I12 downwardly, causing the rod I to be moved forwardly. As the rod I90 moves forwardly, the rod 266 engages the rear portion of the slot- I94 and moves the bearing arm I98 outwardly about the horizontal axis of the shaft I44, as seen in Figure 7. The bearing collar 202 being secured to the. shaft I44, rotation is imparted to the shaft. As rotation is imparted to the end of the shaft, the laterally extending end of theshaft rotates, causing the collar I52 to move and imparting a downward movement to the clevis end I59 of the link I48. Downward movement of the clevis produces a downward movement of the vertically disposed operating lin'k' I28, causing one end of the brush holder to move downwardly. As the one end moves downwardly, the opposite end moves correspondingly and coincidentally so that the brushes 94, 96 and I08 are disposed in even placement on the ground.

At this time, the device is moved forwardly or rearwardly, as may be desired, by the operator. As the operator moves the device forwardly, gripping the handlebars as and 40, one hand is engaged about the lever end 18. Compression of the lever end 18 of the crank-like actuating lever 12 moves the rod 10 downwardly. Movement downwardly of the rod opens the mouth in the nozzle 54 and allows the liquid in the tank 20' to flow outwardly into the U-shaped. opening. The device is propelled forwardly, with. the back brush smoothly and evenly applying the liquid to the surface, the side brushes functioning to produce straight even edges on the line applied.

It is to be particularly noted that the dispensing of the liquid substance can be easily controlled, as the device is being propelled, the same responding speedily to manipulation of the lever end 18 of the crank-like operating lever.

To compensate for the irregularity in the contour of the surface to be marked, an automatic means is provided for the brush unit, whereby the same is self-adjustable to associate itself in various angular or tilted positions with the surface. The automatic mechanism is activated in a manner similar to the manually operated mechanism except for the important factor that it isrelative'l'y'free for independent movement and quick response to any irregularity in the surface. In this respect, resilient pressure is imparted from the spring 208 to the rod I90. The

.1 P rid the scp of the appended surface 312 1711" the brush holder ahd thtia'venmg relative to the said positio ns. II this? 

